Needle comparing device



- i 32 3 g 1.... 15 llllllm I f 53333 3Q 1935. A TR H 2,009,968

NEEDLE COMPARING DEVICE Filed Aug. 29, 1953 1W Fl E- ML.

5 Sheets-Sheet l a I" ll- 10 ill 0000 9.,

IN V EN TOR:

517M715 Arrow/g.

G. GASTRICH NEEDLE COMPARING DEVICE Filed Aug. 29, 1953 25 1 5; HI! lmmnmmw mmlnmmn I i; 51:: .u g; Emil!!! 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 lli n m 27 July 3@, 1935 G. GASTRICH 2,009,968

I NEEDLE COMPARING DEVICE Filed Aug. 29, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FlEE- J U.;

I W Y INVENTOR: -Gasfiw6asln'ck,

Patented July 30, 1935 NEEDLE ooMrAitiNG DEVICE Gustav Gastrich, Wyomissing, Pa. assignor to Textile Machine Works, Wymissing, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 29, 1933, Serial No. 687,349

13 Claims.

This invention relates to a novel needle inspecting and comparing device particularly adapted for positioning spring beard needles in definite spaced relationship to facilitate comparison of the respective properties associated therewith, both individually and in groups.

To permit correct operation of the loop-forming elements of a knitting machine it is essential that the corresponding properties of the various parts respectively approximate each other. This is especially important insofar as the spring beard needles of a full fashioned knitting machine are concerned wherein the respective characteristics of all needles must substantially parallel each other in order to permit the desired smooth working operation of the component parts upon which the quality of the fabric produced thereby is directly dependent.

Inasmuch as the original needles in the operative sections of a full fashioned knitting machine are carefully straightened and checked for uniformity while held in their respective needle bars. any minor discrepancies occurring during the shipment or assembly of the machine can readily be corrected without necessitating the removal of any of said needles from their operative position in their respective needle bars. However, when needles are broken and replacements must be made, the latter, in turn, must conform to the remaining needles in shape and be aligned in similar spaced relationship relative thereto in order to attain the, desired quality of knitte fabric. I

Since no means has heretofore been introduced whereby the properties of individual needles couldreadily be compared to those of other needles of the same or different gauges, or with needles of the same or competitive brands, practical and convincing comparisons as to the degree of perfection could not be easily and quickly made.

It has heretofore been impossible to determine whether the properties of the separate needles would closely parallel each other until said needles were placed side by side with other needles in the bars of a knitting machine. Consequently; although it is well known in the trade that certain brands of needles possess a higher degree of uni formity than others, and although much effort is ordinarily exercised in straightening each needle before it is inserted in the needle bar of a knitting machine, (because said needles are usually held separately while being compared to a perfect needle by a machine operator) it is not untilsaid needles are operatively positioned side by side with other needles that an accurate check can be made thereon and the needles made to conform with the remaining needles in the bar. This necessitates the stopping of the machine for a time sumcient to permit the corrections to be made; all of which is undesirable because of the delay associated therewith. I

It is an object of my invention to provide a novel portable comparing device wherein particularly spring beard needles may be held in defined spaced relationship substantially as when operatively positioned in a full fashioned knitting machine.

Another object is to provide such a device in which a row of needle butt positioning perforations may be used interchangeably to position the butt ends of different gauge needles.

Still another object is to provide a device of this type wherein different gauge needles may be maintained substantially as when operatively positioned in a full fashioned knitting machine.

Another feature resides in the provision of a springbeard needle holding device having means whereby the individual degree of perfection of needles may readily be ascertained.

It is likewise an object of this invention to provide novel container means for conveniently holding or mounting a plurality of such needle comparing devices so as to facilitate their use and transportation.

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, my invention resides in the novel elements of construction, mechanisms and combination of parts in cooperative relationship, as hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is an enlarged plan view of a preferred form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is an edge view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an actual size reproduction of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of a modified form of my needle comparing device;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional View taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig, 7 is a perspective view of another modification of my invention; 7

Fig. 8 is a plan view of still another modification of my invention;

Fig. .9 is a sectional view taken on the line p the cover plate #8.

9-9 of Fig. 8, but showing certain of the needles in place on the device;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of another modification of my invention; and

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line H-H of Fig. 10.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the needle holding and comparing device 9 in this instance includes a substantially flat structure formed with.

a pair of opposite raised portions or wing members l2 and l2a, joined by an intermediate web portion I 5. The raised portions l2 and I20. are provided with a plurality of needle positioning grooves l0, which are here arranged in two groups Illa and lob at one side and two groups Ha and ill) at the opposite side of the device.

The grooves l are spaced and formed to position the stem portions S of the needles l3 and to accommodate needle groups I354 and I3?) substantially in accordance with the gauge characteristics of the desired groups of needles which are to be maintained therein.

To position the needles in the same longitudinal position relative to the holder 9, each groove H] has a perforation or opening M aligned therewith to hold the respective crank or butt ends C in longitudinal alignment (seeFigs. l and 3). These perforations l4 are provided in the intermediate web portion l5 and cooperate to position the needles l3 in the desired spaced alignment relative to each other.

A construction of this type provides a number of individual surfaces, in this instance four at each side of the device $2, each of which may be grooved to respectively position needles of a desired gauge. Each row of openings i5 is formed in accordance with the respective gauge dimen sion of the coarser grade of needles maintained by the grooves at that end of the holder, and thus said openings 14 are likewise of suificient size to also permit the cranks of finer gauge needles to be positioned therein.

If the holder is adapted to maintain needles of four diiTerent gauges, as for instance 42, d5, 48 and 51 gauges, opposite surfaces of one wing will preferably be grooved to maintain 42 and 45 gauge needles whereas the opposite wing will have 48 and 5! gauge grooves formed therein. Consequently 42 gauge crank retaining openings will be formed adjacent to one wing which will likewise be large enough to house the smaller 45 gauge needle butts; and the (33 gauge holes at the other end Will be of suflicient size to position both the 5! and 48 gauge needle cranks C.

In order to maintain the needles as positioned and prevent loosening thereof during the course of handling, clamping means, such as for instance, illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, may readily be attached thereto, which, in addition to positively maintaining the needles in their respective positioning slots, likewise effects a cover plate structure for the unfilled grooved portions and thereby prevents any damage to the grooved portions which might otherwise occur during the manipulation of the implement.

An opening similar to the opening E6 of Figs. 1 and 3 in the web or channeled portion 15 is provided for passage therethrough of the stud ll of Cooperating with the stud II and the cover plate 53 to effect the desired clamping action are the clamp plate l9 and the thumb screw 28 which, when assembled, appear and function in the mannershown in Figs. 5

and 6. v

To extend the use of this holder the grooved surfaces of each wing member I2 are subdivided into groups at both sides of the device 9 in the manner shown. For convenience herein the same reference characters apply to each side. Thus different brands of needles of the same gauge may be grouped side by side while inspection or comparison therebetween is appreciably facilitated.

The striking contrast which an arrangement of this sort will effect is clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 where each group of grooves maintains needles of a brand different from the brand of the other group. It will readily be observed, from said figures, that the needles in the left group 3a, embody an appreciably greater degree of uniformity than do the needles in the right group 53b, the irregular features of which are prominently contrasted in Fig. 2.

The folding jackknife construction 2! shown in Fig. '7, is a modification of my invention embodying the more desirable features thereof in addition to providing a compact device which may readily be carried about in a pocket of the user. In this construction each wing or blade 22 has a raised surface i2b grooved as seen at 22d and 22b to hold needles or different gauge. Thus whenever a comparison is to be made between needles of a particular gauge the blade correspending to the desired gauge is opened, the needles of the same or different brands inserted therein and comparison therebetween readily made. In this construction as well as in the modification shown in Figs. 10 and ii, no addi tional cover or carrying case is required inasmuch as the peculiar construction thereof in itself provides ample protection for the grooved portions against damage thereto which might easily result if said grooved portions were unprotected. In this form of the invention I also provide a single row of needle-crank receiving holes Mo to cooperate with the grooves iii of the groups 220. and these holes being formed in the sl1allow edge portion 55a contiguous to the grooved portions 22a and 22b.

The modification illustrated in 8 and 9 is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to i inclusive, but has incorporated therein extensions 23 and 24 to the usual wing members !2 and 52a; said extensions have series of parallel lineal graduations lilo, lfic identified thereon, each line being coextensive, and in strict alignment, with a respective needle groove it: and thereby forming a novel means whereby the straightness of each needle may be accurately determined. This arrangement likewise presents a desirable background member which contrasts with the coloration of the needle and thereby facilitates the inspection and comparison'thereof.

I further illustrate in Figs. 8 and 9 the manner in which a single device may be employed to position either long or short needles in the same correct manner as when they are operatively held in a needle bar of the usual knitting machine, i. e., the same length of needle will be free relative to the holder as it is ordinarily unsupported in the needle bar when said needles are operatively positioned therein. This condition is eifected by using the first and third :ow of holes, adjacent to one wing, to respectively position the crank ends C of short or long needles, corresponding to the gauge of needles for which that particular wing has been grooved. Thus the holes in rows 25 and 26 are used to respectively locate the crank ends C of either short orlong needles as maintained by the upper row of grooves in the surface I2 of Figs.

8 and 9. Likewise, the perforations 21 and 28 are adapted to hold the cranks C of the short and long needles positioned in the lower grooved surface lid.

Moreover, the arrangement of Figs. 1 to 6, may also be used for long or short needles. In this case the holes are made large enough to house needles of any of the gauges slotted therein. Likewise, the longitudinal rows of holes are so spaced that the openings adapted to correctly position the short needles of one wing will also locate the crank ends of the long needles positioned in the grooves of the opposite wing and vice versa, so that either the long or short needles, when positioned therein, will have the same length of needle extending from the holder as when operatively positioned in a knitting machine.

The box-like construction 23 of Figs. 10 and 11. presents another modification peculiarly suitable for a device or this kind. In this holder the inner sidewalls of the box'are recessed as at 36, Si, Fig. ii, to provide a support-guide for the tray members 32, which, in turn are similar in construction to the holders heretofore described, having a raised section 33 in which the stern positioning grooves it! are formed, and including a depressed crank-locating section 34 provided with holes 35 in alignment with the grooves iii. The remaining part of the tray is preferably removed as at 35, although a background member like and 24 in'Figs. 8 and 9 could readily be included. The ear pieces 3? serve the two-fold purpose of coacting with the sides of the box or container to limit the inward motion of the trays and of presenting a means whereby the trays may be grasped to facilitate their withdrawal from the container whenever desired.

The separate modifications herein illustrated, more particularly the device shown in Figs. 1 to 6, in addition to being peculiarly adapted for use in comparing the straightness and uniformity embodied in spring beard needles of various gauges and brands, is further suited for use in connection with the rectifying or" any imperfections which such a comparison or examination might disclose.

se devices are likewise of such size and construction as to make a desirable pocket-piece which may readily be carried about by a sales- I man, knitter, needle straightener, etc., without any degree of annoyance or discomfort, and thus be ready for use whenever desired.

Although I have shown several modifications oi this my invention, it will be observed that the improvements can be changed in various Ways, and that different features of the several arrangements are readily interchangeable; and also that such may be resorted to without deviating in any way from the invention as herein disclosed and hereinafter claimed.

What I claim is:

1. A pocket device for determining the straightness of elongated wire-like knitting implements comprising a base of a size to fit the operators pocket and carrying means for main taining the implements in side-by-side related groups, said means including groups of grooved portions into which the implements are adapted to fit, one group of grooved portions being provided for each group of the implements, and means for distinguishing the groups of grooved portions including means on the base for marking a, space between the next adjacent grooves of next adjacent groups.

2. A pocket device for determining the straightness of elongated wire-like knitting implements comprising a base of a size to fit the operators pocket and carrying means for main-- taining the implements in side-by-side related groups, said means including groups of grooved portions into which the implements are adapted to fit, one group of grooved portions being provided for each group of the implements, and means for distinguishing the groups of grooved portions including marking means on the base differentiating the groups from each other and providing demarcation between the next adjacent grooves of next adjacent groups.

3. A pocket device, for comparing wire-like knitting-mach ne implements comprising a base provided with gauge marks and parallel seating portions engaging sides of the implements for holding portions of the elements in parallelism and with the remaining portions related to said gauge marks whereby said remaining portions may be compared as to accuracy with said gauge marks.

4. A pocket device, for comparing wire-like knitting-machine implements comprising a base having parallel gauge lines thereon and means including elements engaging the sides of the implements for holding portions of the implements on the base parallel to each other and with the remaining portions'of said implements overlying the gauge lines whereby said remaining portions may be compared as to accuracy with said gauge lines. I i

5. A device for comparing the straightness of spring beard needles, said device including a generally flat structure having a web portion intermediate raised wing portions, said web portion having longitudinal rows of perforations adapted to position the crank ends of spring beard needles and said wing members having grooved portions each groove thereof individually aligned with a plurality of said perforations for respectively positioning the stems of needles of diiierent lengths.

6. A device for comparing the straightness of spring beard needles, said device including a gen erally flat structure havin a web portion inter mediate raised wing portions, said web portion having longitudinal rows of grouped perfora tions adapted to position the crank ends of spring beard needles and said wing members having grooved portions each groove thereof individually aligned with a plurality of said perforations for respectively positioning the stems of needles of different lengths in spaced parallel relationship, and clamping means for positively maintaining said needles therein.

7. A device for comparing the straightness of spring beard needles, said device including a generally flat structure having a web portion intermediate raised' wing portions, said web portion having longitudinal rows of grouped perforations, each row adapted to position the crank ends of two different gauges of needles and opposed surfaces of said Wing members having grooved portions aligned with said perforations for respectively positioning the stems of different gauge needles in parallel spaced relationship in accordance with the respective said gauges of said needles.

8. A device for comparing the straightness of spring beard needles, said device comprising a generally fiat structure having a web portion intermediate raised wing portions, said web portion and said wing members having recessed portions each recess thereof individually aligned with a plurality of said perforations for respectively positioning the stems of needles of different lengths, and clamping means coacting with said device for maintaining said needles in defined spaced engagement therewith.

9. A device for comparing the straightness of spring beard needles, said device including a generally flat structure having a web portion intermediate raised wing portions, said web portion having longitudinal rows of perforations adapted to position the crank ends of the spring beard needles and said wing members having grooved portions eech groove thereof individually aligned with a plurality of said perforations for positioning respectively the stems of needles of different lengths, said wing members having extended portions providing a background for said needles.

10. A device for comparing the straightness of spring beard needles, said device including a generally fiat structure having a web portion intermediate raised wing portions, said web portion having longitudinal rows of perforations adapted to position the crank ends of spring beard needles and said wing members having grooved portions each groove thereof individually aligned with a plurality of said perforations for respectively positioning the stems of needles of different lengths, said wing members having extended background forming members with lineal gradations coextensive with said needle retaining grooves and providing auxiliary means for checking the straightness of individual groups of needles.

11. A portable device for comparing the straightness of different l ngth spring beard needles, said device including a generally fiat structure having two grooved areas to receive the neele stems and crank positioning perforations aligned with said grooves, each area and its corresponding said perforations coacting to position a different gauge group of needles of standard lengths substantially as operatively positioned in a knitting machine, said areas and perforations also being related to correctly position long type needles of corresponding gauges by positioning the needle cranks in the perforations associated with one area and the stems in the grooves of another area.

12. A pocket device, for supporting wire-like knitting implements of different lengths having right-angularly related butt-end sections and for comparing the implements of a group of like length with each other, comprising a flat platelike base including parallel laterally-spaced raised platforms extending across one side of the plate each disposed inwardly from an edge of the plate parallel thereto providing an area between each platform and the next adjacent of said edges and having parallel grooved portions therea'cross for selectively receiving implements of different lengths, the base, between said platforms having a plurality of sets of openings for each platform parallel thereto, the openings of each set being in register, respectively, with the grooves of the corresponding platform for selectively receiving the said butt ends of implements of different lengths, and said areas each having lines thereon parallel to said grooves.

13. A device, for comparing wire-like knitting implements having laterally extending butt-end sections, comprising a base having on a flat side thereof two flat-top laterally-spaced slightlyraised elongated portions spaced inwardly from the base edges therealong each having transversely across the top thereof parallel grooves of less depth than the distance of the raised portion above said flat base side arranged in two pairs of groups spaced from each other by a given distancewith the groups of each pair spaced from each other by a less distance, the grooves of each pair of groups beingof like gauge different from the grooves of each other pair and the grooves of each group on one of said raised portions corresponding in number to, and being in line with, the grooves of a group on the other raised portion, the base between said raised portions having four lines of series-related openings through the base in parallel laterally-spaced relation to each other and to the raised portions grouped and spaced in accordance with the grouping and spacing of the grooves to have two openings aligned with each groove with one of the openings of the aligned groove therebetween, and lines on the base in line with the grooves extending oppositely from the farthermost sides of said raised portions. I

GUSTAV GASTRICH. 

